Fowkesy right man to lead us forward Hooper

NOTTINGHAM prop Ben Hooper is confident the club will have a smooth transition under forwards coach and former prop Neil Fowkes when head coach Ian Costello departs for Wasps.

Playmaker Tiff Eden is off to Bristol and Hooper hopes his departure will be the exception rather than the rule as the club thrives on familiariry.

Hooper told TRP: “Part of the reason why Nottingham has started to grow as a club in recent years is the consistency in personnel, not just in playing terms but coaches as well.

“Fowkesy has been at the club since the juniors through to the first team and now the coaching staff so having someone take over from Cossy that knows the club, the players and the systems so well is the best way I think to continue on the path we’re on.

“Fowkesy is a terrific man-manager,” Hooper continued. “As a player you know that he ultimately respects what you do because he has been out there and done it himself and knows how tough the Championship is. He also leaves you in no doubt what he wants and gives you the tools and the responsibility to do your job.”

Hooper is no stranger to local derbies having played for all three of Yorkshire’s Championship clubs, including today’s visitors Doncaster, and the 30-yearold from Devon is looking forward to another keenlyfought tussle at Lady Bay.

Despite being an hour’s drive and 60 miles apart, Nottingham and Doncaster consider themselves fierce rivals and games between the two always seem to have an extra edge.

“I’ve played for Donny for the last seven or eight years and I have a massive respect for them. They bring intensity to every game which goes up a notch when they play anyone relatively local,” Hooper said.

“Early in my Leeds career I spent two months on loan at Donny (he also played for Rotherham) and they still have plenty of guys there from then and that shows in the way they play. They’ve got a lot of sharp operators who’ve been doing it a long time.”